Tag: apples

Since canning several pints of beets this year, I’ve been on a quest to find tasty ways to use them. Smoothies are a perfect option, whether you like the taste of beets or not. Because of the combination of ingredients in this recipe, no one flavor dominates. It’s a sweet, fresh-tasting drink.

Beets have a high sugar content, so this smoothie really doesn’t need additional honey or other sweetener. Of course, it’s also good for you. The beets offer a great source of folate and betaine, while the orange packs plenty of potassium and vitamin C. And blueberries and spinach aren’t considered super-foods for nothing. Blueberries have been shown to be a effective inhibitor of certain types of cancer, plus they contain compounds that can help prevent urinary tract infections.

Spinach is always a great choice for green smoothies because of its mild taste. It’s also an excellent source of fiber and vitamin K and a rich source of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium and manganese.

I always suggest using organic fruits and vegetables, if at all possible. This is especially true in smoothies because, in many cases, you’re going to be using the entire fruit, peel and all. You’ll definitely want to use the entire apple, because most of the fiber and almost all of the antioxidants in apples are actually found in the peel.

Like this:

Summertime just begs for a refreshing beverage! If you’re trying to stay on the healthy side of things, this smoothie is a great option for you. It’s packed with fruits and greens, plus a sprig of mint.

Since I’m a Kentucky girl, the mention of mint automatically conjures images of mint juleps. But — aside from that tasty alcoholic beverage — mint actually has some nice health benefits that make it appealing to use in green smoothies. It has a unique ability to soothe indigestion and even ease headaches. Since it’s a natural stimulant, it can also help combat fatigue. And if you’re like me and planted a small herb garden this year, chances are that you have an overabundance of mint! This is a great way to use some of it.

This Mango & Mint Green Smoothie is a perfect summertime choice because it’s hydrating, thanks in large part to the cucumber and Romaine lettuce. Cucumbers are 95 percent water and can help rehydrate the body. They’re also a good source of B vitamins and are sometimes used as hangover cures. So if you’ve had one too many mint juleps, eat a few slices of cucumber before going to bed!

Like cucumbers, Romaine lettuce also has a high water content, but that doesn’t mean that it lacks nutritional value. Romaine lettuce contains protein, calcium and is rich in B vitamins. It’s also a good source of minerals such as copper, magnesium, manganese and potassium and, as a side benefit, it’s low in calories. Romaine lettuce also has a mild flavor, so if you’re new to green smoothies it’s a good choice for you.

And now a word about mangoes: mangoes are often called a superfood or the “king of fruits,” because they’re nutritionally rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They also taste great and work well in smoothies because of their texture. I sometimes buy fresh mangoes when they’re on sale, and I just as often regret buying fresh mangoes because I have a terrible time getting to the fruit. I’ve read posts about the best way to peel a mango and cut out the fruit, but I always end up aggravated by the process. I’m pretty sure it’s user error. But it’s a whole lot easier for me to buy a bag of organic frozen mango chunks and they’re readily available in almost any grocery store. Fresh or frozen works equally well.

There’s no need to peel the apple for this smoothie, just wash it and core it, then cut it into chunks. As always, I recommend buying organic apples if you can because the peel contains most of the fiber and antioxidants.

Directions:
Place all of the ingredients into a high-speed blender, starting with the water and fresh ingredients and ending with any frozen fruit and ice. Blend for 30 seconds or until you reach the consistency you desire.

This smoothie is a great way to start your morning on a healthy note. You can’t find fault with the ingredients; they’re full of vitamins, fiber and phytochemicals, which are substances found in plant-based foods. The American Cancer Society reports that some phytochemicals act as antioxidants or have hormone-like effects on the body that may help inhibit some types of cancer. Best of all, though, the smoothie tastes great.

I’m a big believer in using good nutrition to stave off illnesses and to help maintain a healthy body and weight. So I’ve always been interested in the health benefits of particular foods. In this smoothie, you get a little bit of a lot of different nutrients.

The apple contains vitamin C and is rich in fiber, but be sure not to peel it because a lot of the fiber and almost all of the antioxidants are actually in the peel. For this reason, I recommend buying organic apples to avoid the pesticides sprayed on the conventional varieties. If you do buy conventional, be sure to wash it thoroughly before you use it.

You can use fresh or frozen blueberries in this smoothie, whatever you have on hand. I tend to buy frozen ones when they’re on sale or fresh when they’re in season and a bit cheaper. Again, organic is the best way to go with blueberries. The cacao nibs are basically raw chocolate and are also a source of antioxidants. They’re crunchy on their own and a little bit bitter, but they work really well in smoothies.

To make this Breakfast Filler Green Smoothie, simply add all of the ingredients into a high-speed blender. You’ll need a high speed blender in order to completely grind the cacao nibs and apple peel. I use a Vitamix, an appliance that I purchased about a year ago and have never regretted. They are a bit pricey, but I use mine almost every day. So the cost has been worth it to me. The water should go in first, with the frozen ingredients being added last. Blend together and enjoy! If you like your smoothie on the sweeter side, you can always add a little Stevia or some honey.